The eight members of the Glasgow City Council who were present at Monday’s regular meeting and others in attendance, got to see a glimpse of the next few years at the Glasgow Municipal Airport — if things go according to plan.
The Federal Aviation Administration requires the airport to file a five-year plan with regard to funding use, as it provides it up to $150,000 annually for nonrevenue projects and/or safety improvements, said Fred Miller, a member of the board of directors for the airport, which is owned by the city but operated independently with oversight from that board. Those funds may be carried over for a maximum of four years for projects that cost more than what is received in a particular year.
Miller and Steve Parker, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Aviation, were at the Glasgow City Council’s regular meeting Monday to present a report concerning the airport’s activities and Kentucky airports in general, respectively.
The vast majority of revenue is from the FAA, with other sources including the state and city, the latter of which is mostly for everyday-type expenses, he said, as well as income from hangar rentals, fuel sales and farming activities on the property.
He then outlined the major projects in the current plans that have been submitted to the FAA, pointing out the federal fiscal year runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 each year.
–2017 — Produce an airport layout plan that will include an approach study done by a contractor who covers about 50 square miles around the airport looking for any approach obstructions. Estimated cost is $94,355.
–2018 — Do runway and taxiway crack repairs, sealcoat and painting. Estimated cost is $300,000.
–2019 — Remove obstructions, to be determined by results of airport layout plan and approach study. Estimated cost, $166,666.
–2020 — Install LED lights on runway and taxiway to replace aging equipment and decrease utility bills, as the light-emitting diodes consume approximately 10 percent less of the amperage of conventional lighting. The cost estimate is $300,000.
–2021 — Replace fuel farm, which is approximately 35 years old, at an approximate cost of $500,000.
–2022 — Determine at that time, in conjunction with the FAA, the airport’s contracted engineering firm, American Engineers Inc., the best way to use the anticipated carryover available of approximately $166,666.
Miller said the FAA has estimated that Glasgow Municipal Airport had 13,100 operations — takeoffs or landings — last year.
“We feel like our airport is a hidden jewel,” he said.
Parker said airports are economic-development magnets that help members of the community even if they never set foot there.
“That airport is a valuable piece of infrastructure … for the whole region,” the commissioner said.
When companies are looking at where they want to locate facilities, he said, they look for airports with at least 5,000 feet of runway, and here they would find one of 5,300 feet with good facilities that are well run. Without an airport, Parker said, this community could be losing companies it wouldn’t even be aware it’s in the running to attract.
The Glasgow Municipal Airport, home of Moore Field, has some things that need to be done, he said.
“We as a state are going to help them, along with the FAA,” Parker said.
He also discussed the growing importance of the aviation and aerospace industries across the commonwealth and some of the investments into that and the other 58 airports in Kentucky, with another under construction now.
All of the airport board members are appointed to four-year terms by the mayor, with approval by the city council. The other current members are Roger Clinton, chair; Joe Trigg; O’Dell Renfro; Terry Fisher; and Denise Dickinson. The board meets at 4 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.